The Washington critic., 1887-01-29
wAsnworox, JANUARY 30, 1887
wANrEp-A NATIONAL "zoo.n

"
It IS subject of common remark
among all intelligent foreigners from
the large capitals Of Europe, visiting
the United States for the first time, that
the Americans, with all their enlighten.
mont and public spirit, their practical
ideas about education and love of cX-
positlonal display, have never yet taken
the first step towards the establishment
Of National Geological Garden. The
city of New York has made start in
this direction on her own account, and
so has Philadelphia; but there is no
Institution Of the kind In this country
that is really worthy Of the unme-none
that Is not insignificant as compared
with the great exhibitions OF this
character In London, Paris and other
European cities.
What renders It the more surprising
is that the wilds of our own continent
abound with binds aud animals in
variety enough to furnish Of them.
selves a geological collection of much
value. Many Of these, moreover, are
rapidly disappearing, which renders 1t
of still further importance that efforts
he made to prevent their entire eN.
tinction. The buffalo is already II
rarity; the elk aud antelope are in pro.
cess of determination; even the grizzly
bear will ultimately vanish out of sight.
Yet nothing has ever been done towards
the preservation and perpetuation of
these Interesting species for the in.
struction Of future generations; nor are
we aware that the Government is even
contemplating measures TO so useful
and valuable an end
Having such nucleus close at hand
for one of the finest exhibitions in nat
ural history the world has ever seen
lirds, beasts and reptiles in infinite
varicty--and such ample material for
exchanges with other nations as the
mountains, swamps and prairles af.
ford, does It not amount to almost
criminal neglect that no measures are
adopted TO utilize these resources for
the benefit of the people!
The Geological Gardens of the Old
World are never. ending attraction,
not merely to visiting strangers, but to
the communities In which they are
located-not only to the young, but to
all classes-not only to the curious
spectator, but to the scientific student
They are 10 be numbered among the
popular educators of the age, and few
are Of more practical utility.
We would therefore urge upon Con.
gress TO give this subject its earnest ut.
tentlon. Ii can at least authorize the
appointment Of commissioners to cX.
anime 1t in all its bearings, make esti-
mates of preliminary expenditures
requisite TO the Inauguration of the un-
dertaking suggested, determine upon
plans and location, and report TO the
new Congress next fall. That the Ma.
tional Geological Gardens should be
located at the seat OF government will
probably encounter no sectional or In.
vidious opposition. That the naces.
sary grounds can be obtnined without
interfering with the sanitary interests
of the city or with any other proposed
Improvements, there can be no doubt.
Unless Congress is too stingy Of its Po
tomac Flats appropriation Major Haln'
will soon be able to turn over to the
Government first class location fol-
this purpose.
That the Gardens can be established
stocked and supported at cost almos
nominal, compared with the advant
ages accruipg and the cost of like in
stitutions elsewhere, we think car
be easily demonstrated. They would
form an adjunct to the Smithsonian In
stitution, the National Museum ant
the various scientific bureaus of tn,
Government second to no other In pop
ular interest and usefulness, The.
would be a grand accessory to the Per
manent Exposition and essential to it
completeness, and they should be laiC
out upon a scale of sufficient magnitude
TO comprise within their living auC
speaking pages the material history o
the heavens above, the earth beneath
and the waters under the earth.